Piece by: Dennis Milimo

26 August 2022

• President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Fred Matiang’i as the acting CS in the ministry of Interior in 2017 before promoting him

• Kindiki is a very sober mind in the Kenyan politics and he was among top candidates to deputize Ruto.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s era as the 4th President of Kenya is almost over after Kenyans went to the ballot to elect his successor on August 9, 2022.

Kenyatta has served as the Kenyan president for the past 10 years and along the way he appointed Cabinet Secretaries in various ministries to help him with service delivery to the people of Kenya.

As his term comes to an end, the incoming President will also have a chance to appoint Cabinet Secretaries who will serve in various dockets.

Cabinet Secretaries are always mandated to advise the President and serve as the administrative head of his/her department.

In Kenya, the ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, is one of the most powerful and sensitive dockets - as the CS in this position is tasked with the responsibility of public administration, internal security and printing of government documents among other duties.

Today, we shine the spotlight on possible candidates who can replace CS Fred Matiang’i if William Ruto’s win is upheld at the Supreme Court.

Josphat Nanok

Outgoing Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok was instrumental in William Ruto’s win after being appointed to head Ruto’s campaign secretariat.

Nanok is among politicians who had a good run in the political world. As a Governor, Nanok served as the chairman of Kenya’s Council of Governors from May 2017 to January 2019.

In October 2020, Turkana was voted in the top 10 as one of the most improved devolved counties. In terms of service delivery, Turkana was ranked 16th having improved from position 42 in 2015.

With his service delivery and track record, Nanok features on the list of possible candidates to replace Matiang’i.

Fred Matiang'i

If sworn-in as President after the final verdict on the Supreme Court Petition filed by Raila Odinga and the Azimio la Umoja coalition, Ruto can choose to retain Matiangi as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

In July 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Fred Matiang’i as the acting CS in the ministry of Interior following the death of Joseph Nkaissery.

He was later confirmed as the CS, a position he has held since 2017. Matiangi has been very tough in his docket and always made sure everything run smoothly in his ministry.

Professor Kindiki Kithure

Outgoing Tharaka-Nithi Senator Professor Kithure Kindiki played a key role William Ruto’s team as far as the August 9 polls are concerned.

Ruto appointed Kindiki as his Chief Agent assisted by UDA secretary General Veronica Maina and Josephat Nanok.

Kindiki is a very sober mind in Kenyan politics and he was among top candidates to deputize Ruto.

Kindiki served as the Majority Leader in the senate during the 2013 to 2017 regime. He also served as deputy speaker of the Kenya Senate from August 2017 to May 2022 when he was de-whipped.

General Maj Gen. Mohamed Badi

Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director- General Maj Gen. Mohamed Badi shot to the limelight in March 2020 after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him to to head NMS.

NMS was responsible for improving services in the city. In September 2020, when he was appointed as the first serving military officer to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in charge of Nairobi Metropolitan Services, the professional soldier's star shone even brighter.

Lt. General Badi has been a member of the armed services since 1981 and is a respected soldier in the military ranks.

In July 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Lt. General in the military in changes announced by President Kenyatta.

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own. Do you agree or disagree?